The discovery of crop marks in 1995, subsequent geophysics in 1998, and 12 years of excavations uncovered the Iron Age settlement in John and Ann Hearle's garden at the Old Vicarage, Mellor. The site covers 10,000 years from the Mesolthic to the Medieval and later.

Over 300 historical maps spanning 200 years of Mancunian history have been digitised and published online by The University of Manchester Library.
The collection of maps and plans of the city from the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century, mostly from the Library’s Special Collections, will be freely available, allowing users to zoom into street level.